Spier

A giant among South African wine farms, Spier is the kind of place where it's easy to get lost for a day, or two or three.

This video is no longer available. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Which is possible, because there's a four-star hotel, a spa, a craft market, an impressive collection of contemporary local art, and a rehabilitation center for injured eagles where guests can interact with the birds.

But the real reason to hang out is to sample more than one meal at Eight, a farm-to-table restaurant with a seasonal menu created with produce from Spier's organic vegetable garden, and its beef from the farm's pastures.

Because the grounds are so expansive, another option is to ask for a picnic basket (best booked in advance) and lounge on the grass with a meal of farmhouse cheeses, salad and freshly baked bread.

This is also a great choice for families, because kids can range as freely as the chickens.